| Abstract Detail
Reproductive Processes Sapir, Yuval [1], Keasar, Tamar [2], Rolnik, Daniela [3], Hochberg, Nurit [3], Fedorenko, Aliza [4], Klein, Tamir [5]. Indirect effect of climate on pollination drives colour polymorphism in Anemone coronaria. Flower colour is usually uniform within a population, and the few cases of intra-population colour polymorphism can shed light on the drivers of phenotypic variation in nature. We tested the role of abiotic (climate and biotic (pollinators) factors as drivers of flower colour polymorphism in the Mediterranean herb, Anemone coronaria. Flowers in populations of A. coronaria are either uniformly red, or polymorphic with red, white, pink and purple flowers. Using citizen science we mapped the colour polymorphism in Israel and confirmed the well-established restriction of polymorphic populations to Mediterranean-climate sites. We found that mean annual precipitation of 450 mm rain is the low threshold for non-red flowers, while in semi-arid and desert climates only red flowers exist. To test whether the red morph is associated with drought adaptations, we compared water loss and carbon assimilation in three populations and among colour morphs. We found no significant differences between colours in either physiological parameter, nor in stomatal density and conductivity. Common-garden experiment suggests that pollinators discriminate among colours, where glaphyrid beetles visit almost exclusively red flowers, and bees and flies visit all other colours. We conclude that pollinators may drive the maintenance of flower colour polymorphism, where in Mediterranean climate the synchronization of both glaphyrid beetles and bees with the flowering season of the anemones provides similar fitness to both red and non-red plants.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - Tel Aviv University Botanical Garden, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, TA, 69978, Israel
2 - Oranim, Tivon, Z, 36006, Israel
3 - Nahalal high school, ISRAEL
4 - Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
5 - Weizmann Institute Of Science, 234 Herzl, 234 Herzl, Rehovot, M, 76100, Israel
Keywords:
pollination
floral trait evolution
colour
climate.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: RP1, Reproductive Processes 1
Location: /
Date: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Time: 11:30 AM(EDT)
Number: RP1007
Abstract ID:212
Candidate for Awards:None |
